High Waisted Shorts

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We knew that it was only a matter of time before high-waisted style would no longer be content with just infiltrating and taking over skirts, trousers, and jeans, but would move into shorts territory too. Well, dear readers, that hour is upon us and shorts have officially gotten the high-rise treatment. Not only that, but, as we'll show you in today's story, the revolution has been celebritized. *

We've spied a whole range of high-waisted short styles lately, ranging from full and demure to fitted and dramatic. Starting with the former shape, we noticed that the always-unique Agyness Deyn modeled a generously cut, pleat-front pair with a skinny belt and sensible lace-ups in New York recently. Her khaki shorts look like a mix between a mom-short and something Jane Goodall would have worn when working in Tanzania. They're an unexpected choice, for sure, but somehow sort of perfect for navigating the concrete jungle. The Hills Whitney Port chose a similar pair of relaxed-leg high-waisted shorts which she wore with a tucked-in tank and flats while running errands in Los Angeles. We also noticed that Leighton Meester was wearing an equally full-n-floaty version on the set of Gossip Girl. Her lovely orange-red shorts are by Lorick and reminiscent of a pair of play shorts from the forties.

On the other end of the fit spectrum, we have Chloe Sevigny, Mischa Barton, Peaches Geldof, and Rumor Willis. Rather than going for the full-leg, slightly longer look, they chose abbreviated versions of high-waisted shorts. Our favorite celebrity columnist, Chloe Sevigny, wore a classic pair of Levi cut-offs high around her hips while walking around West Hollywood earlier this summer. Of course, you can make this look work for night, as Mischa Barton demonstrated when she selected a statement pair of slim yellow shorts for a launch party for the Billionaire Boys Club in London. Peaches Geldof picked this silhouette for an evening event as well. Instead of going for the expected little black mini, she wore a pair of black velvet shorts to an event at the Science Museum in London earlier this year. Over in dressed-down Hollywood, we spotted another nighttime version of this look, but this one involved denim. Rumor Willis skipped LA's traditional jeans and instead wore an edgy pair of high-waisted jean shorts for a party at the Motley Bird headquarters. We like how she balanced the inherent sexiness of a pair of short shorts by not revealing skin anywhere else. Plus, her unstructured, slightly oversized leather jacket is a nice counterpoint to the tight shorts.

Stores still have a slew of high-waisted shorts (including some new ones from fall collections) and we narrowed down the selection to a choice few. We like the slightly full leg and preppy cuffs of Lark & Wolff by Steven Alan's High Waist Short ($68) and the slightly dressier variation of 3.1 Phillip Lim's High-Waist Pleated Shorts ($275). We're addicted to Alexander Wang, so of course we like the slim tailoring and lightweight wool of his High Waisted Shorts ($329). The Grace Jones Short ($265) by Elizabeth and James has a similarly sleek shape; in fact, either pair would make for a great going-out look, especially when worn with some smart heels. In the denim department, we suggest taking a look at Forever 21's Herschel High Waisted Jean ($22.80) for an affordable trendy option or the Bacall True High Waist Short by 18th Amendment ($165). They're certainly difficult to pull off, but if you can do it, they're kind of amazing.